American Football Database
Register
Advertisement
2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Music City Bowl champion
Music City Bowl, W 31–28 vs. LSU
ConferenceIndependent
2014 record8–5
Head coachBrian Kelly (5th season)
Offensive coordinatorMike Denbrock (1st as coordinator; 5th overall season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBrian VanGorder (1st season)
Base defense3–4 multiple
CaptainCam McDaniel
CaptainNick Martin
CaptainAustin Collinsworth
CaptainSheldon Day
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
(Capacity: 80,795)
Seasons
← 2013
2015 →
2014 Division I FBS independents football records
v · d · e Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
BYU               8 5  
Notre Dame               8 5  
Navy               8 5  
Army               4 8  
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Brian Kelly and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. They compete as an independent.

The Irish started the season with a 6–0 record, ranked as high as No. 5 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll, but had a collapse in the second half of the season, losing five of their last six games to finish the regular season at 7–5. Notre Dame's defense suffered significant injuries and yielded over 41 points per game over those six games. For the first time in school history, the Irish gave up thirty points or more in seven consecutive contests.

Despite the disappointing season the Irish finished on a high note, upsetting the heavily favored LSU Tigers (8 point favorites) in the Music City Bowl, 31–28. Kicker Kyle Brindza kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. This was the first win by Notre Dame over a Southeastern Conference (SEC) team since beating the University of Tennessee Volunteers in 2005. This is also Notre Dame's first win over a ranked opponent in a bowl game since 1993, where they defeated No. 6 Texas A&M.

Before the season[]

Previous season[]

The Fighting Irish finished the 2013 regular season with an 8–4 record. They beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 29–16 in the 2013 Pinstripe Bowl.

2014 NFL Draft[]

The following former Notre Dame players were selected in the 2014 NFL Draft:

Round Selection Player Position Team
1 16 Zack Martin Offensive Tackle Dallas Cowboys
2 46 Stephon Tuitt Defensive End Pittsburgh Steelers
2 52 Troy Niklas Tight End Arizona Cardinals
3 83 Louis Nix Defensive Tackle Houston Texans
3 89 Chris Watt Offensive Guard San Diego Chargers
4 139 Prince Shembo Outside Linebacker Atlanta Falcons
6 188 Bennett Jackson Cornerback New York Giants
6 189 T. J. Jones Wide Receiver Detroit Lions

Transfers out / departures[]

Stephon Tuitt, Louis Nix, Troy Niklas and George Atkinson III all chose to forgo their final year of eligibility and enter the 2014 NFL Draft. On April 4, 2014, sophomore cornerback Rashad Kinlaw was dismissed from the team due to violation of team rules. He subsequently left the university following his dismissal from the football program.[1]

Transfers in[]

Cody Riggs, a defensive back at Florida, announced he would transfer to Notre Dame in June after he received his degree in May 2014. He would be enrolled in a graduate studies program while exhausting his final season of eligibility.[2]

Coaching changes[]

Chuck Martin left to become the head coach of the Miami RedHawks.[3] Bob Diaco departed to become the head coach of the Connecticut Huskies.[4] Brian VanGorder, formerly the linebackers coach of the NFL's New York Jets, was hired to be the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.[5] Matt LaFleur, formerly the quarterbacks coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins, was hired to be the new quarterbacks coach.[6] Mike Denbrock was promoted to offensive coordinator, filling the void left by Martin.[7]

Recruiting class[]

Brian Kelly received 23 commitments in his fourth full recruiting class including two five-stars: linebacker Nyles Morgan and offensive tackle Quenton Nelson. The class included student-athletes from 14 states.

Personnel[]

Coaching staff[]

Name Position Year at Notre Dame Alma mater (Year)
Brian Kelly Head coach 5th Assumption (1982)
Mike Denbrock Offensive coordinator/wide receivers 5th Grand Valley State (1987)
Brian VanGorder Defensive coordinator/inside linebackers 1st Wayne State (1980)
Harry Hiestand Offensive line/run game coordinator 3rd East Stroudsburg (1983)
Scott Booker Tight ends/special teams coordinator 3rd Kent State (2003)
Tony Alford Running backs/recruiting coordinator 6th Colorado State (1992)
Kerry Cooks Defensive backs 5th Iowa (2000)
Mike Elston Defensive line 5th Michigan (1998)
Bob Elliott Outside linebackers 3rd Iowa (1976)
Matt LaFleur Quarterbacks 1st Saginaw Valley State (2002)
Paul Longo Director of football strength and conditioning 5th Wayne State (1981)

Roster[]

The roster is current as of October 8, 2014.

2014 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football Roster - und.com

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

  • 46 Josh Anderson – Junior
  • 1 Greg Bryant – Sophomore
  • 25 Tarean FolstonSophomore
  • 33 Cam McDanielSenior

Wide Receivers

  • 11 Justin Brent – Freshman
  • 2 Chris Brown – Junior
  • 35 Cam Bryan – Junior
  • 3 Amir Carlisle – Senior
  • 87 Keenan Centlivre – Freshman
  • 10 DaVaris DanielsSenior
  • 7 Will FullerSophomore
  • 39 Luke Hamel – Freshman
  • 15 Corey Holmes – Freshman
  • 81 Omar Hunter – Sophomore
  • 16 Torii Hunter, Jr. – Sophomore
  • 37 Eric Lee – Senior
  • 20 C. J. ProsiseJunior
  • 88 Corey RobinsonSophomore
  • 86 Buster Sheridan – Sophomore
  • 83 Austin Webster – Freshman

Tight Ends

  • 9 Mike Heuerman – Sophomore
  • 18 Ben KoyackSenior
  • 13 Tyler Luatua – Freshman
  • 80 Durham SmytheSophomore
  • 84 Ben Suttman – Sophomore
  • 82 Nic Weishar – Freshman
 

Offensive Lineman

  • 71 Alex Bars – Freshman
  • 70 Hunter Bivin – Sophomore
  • 63 Sam Bush – Freshman
  • 67 Jimmy Byrne – Freshman
  • 79 Steve Elmer – Sophomore
  • 65 Conor Hanratty – Senior
  • 75 Mark Harrell – Junior
  • 74 Christian Lombard – Graduate Student
  • 68 Mike McGlincheySophomore
  • 62 Colin McGovern – Sophomore
  • 60 John Montelus – Sophomore
  • 53 Sam Mustipher – Freshman
  • 56 Quenton NelsonFreshman
  • 78 Ronnie StanleyJunior

Centers

  • 77 Matt Hegarty – Senior
  • 72 Nick MartinSenior

Defensive Lineman

  • 92 Grant Blankenship – Freshman
  • 55 Jonathan Bonner – Freshman
  • 75 Daniel Cage – Freshman
  • 91 Sheldon DayJunior
  • 95 Marquis Dickerson – Sophomore
  • 93 Jay Hayes – Freshman
  • 50 Chase Hounshell – Senior
  • 94 Jarron Jones – Junior
  • 64 Ryan Kilander – Freshman
  • 73 Scott Kingsley – Sophomore
  • 89 Jacob Matuska – Sophomore
  • 97 Patrick Mazza – Sophomore
  • 96 Peter Mokwuah – Freshman
  • 45 Romeo OkwaraJunior
  • 56 Anthony Rabasa – Senior
  • 90 Isaac RochellSophomore
  • 98 Andrew Trumbetti – Freshman
  • 53 Justin Utupo – Graduate Student
  • 11 Ishaq WilliamsSenior
  • 33 Jhonny Williams – Freshman
 

Linebackers

  • 30 Ben Councell – Senior
  • 42 Michael Deeb – Sophomore
  • 59 Jarrett Grace – Senior
  • 43 Kolin Hill – Freshman
  • 52 Austin Larkin – Sophomore
  • 48 Greer Martini – Freshman
  • 8 Kendall Moore – Graduate Student
  • 5 Nyles Morgan – Freshman
  • 17 James OnwualuSophomore
  • 44 Doug Randolph – Sophomore
  • 38 Joe Schmidt – Senior
  • 9 Jaylon SmithSophomore
  • 31 John Turner – Junior

Cornerbacks

  • 43 Josh Atkinson – Senior
  • 34 Jesse Bongiovi – Sophomore
  • 21 Jalen Brown – Senior
  • 12 Devin Butler – Sophomore
  • 40 Connor Cavalaris – Senior
  • 41 Matthias FarleySenior
  • 35 Grant Hammann – Freshman
  • 36 Cole LukeSophomore
  • 2 Cody RiggsGraduate Student
  • 6 KeiVarae RussellJunior
  • 19 Nick Watkins – Freshman

Safeties

  • 29 Nicky Baratti – Junior
  • 28 Austin Collinsworth – Graduate Student
  • 4 Eilar Hardy – Senior
  • 46 Eamon McOsker – Junior
  • 36 Tyler Price – Sophomore
  • 39 Drew Recker – Sophomore
  • 10 Max Redfield – Sophomore
  • 22 Elijah Shumate – Junior
  • 42 Ernie Soto – Senior
  • 23 Drue TranquillFreshman
 

Kickers/Punters

  • 27 Kyle BrindzaSenior
  • 43 John Chereson – Sophomore
  • 85 Tyler Newsome – Freshman

Long Snappers

  • 61 Scott DalyJunior
  • 99 Hunter Smith – Junior

Season[]

Schedule[]

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 303:30 p.m.RiceNo. 17NBCW 48–1780,795
September 67:30 p.m.MichiganNo. 16
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN (rivalry)
NBCW 31–080,795
September 137:30 p.m.vs. PurdueNo. 11NBCW 30–1456,832
September 278:00 p.m.vs. SyracuseNo. 8ABCW 31–1576,802
October 43:30 p.m.No. 14 StanfordNo. 9
NBCW 17–1480,795
October 113:30 p.m.North CarolinaNo. 6
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCW 50–4380,795
October 188:00 p.m.at No. 2 Florida StateNo. 5ABCL 27–3182,431
November 18:00 p.m.vs. NavyNo. 6CBSW 49–3936,807
November 83:30 p.m.at No. 11 Arizona StateNo. 8ABCL 31–5565,870
November 153:30 p.m.NorthwesternNo. 18
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN (rivalry)
NBCL 40–43 OT80,795
November 223:30 p.m.Louisville
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCL 28–3180,795
November 293:30 p.m.at USCFOXL 14–4979,586
December 303:00 p.m.vs. No. 23 LSU
ESPNW 31–2860,149

Game summaries[]

Rice[]

Rice at Notre Dame
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Owls 7 3 0 7 17
No. 17 Fighting Irish 14 14 10 10 48
  • Date: August 30, 2014
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:42 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 7 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Cloudy and Possible Rain • Wind: SW 17 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
Overall record Last meeting Result
4–0 1988 ND, 54–11


Michigan[]

Michigan at Notre Dame
(Rivalry)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Wolverines 0 0 0 0 0
No. 16 Fighting Irish 7 14 7 3 31
  • Date: September 6, 2014
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 7:42 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 17 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Clear Skies • Wind: NNW 10 MPH
  • Referee: John O'Neill
Overall record Last meeting Result
16–24–1 2013 MICH, 41–30

In what looks to be the final meeting between Notre Dame and Michigan,[citation needed] Notre Dame defeated Michigan, 31–0, giving the Irish their most lopsided win against the Wolverines. The game ended Michigan's NCAA record of consecutive games without being shut out. (The Wolverines were last shut out in 1984 versus Iowa). Michigan turned the ball over four times, while Notre Dame had no turnovers. Michigan never reached the red zone in this game. Everett Golson went 23 for 34, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns for the Irish. Notre Dame went to 2–0 on the year.

Purdue[]

Notre Dame vs Purdue
(Shillelagh Trophy / Shamrock Series)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Boilermakers 7 7 0 0 14
No. 11 Fighting Irish 7 10 7 6 30
  • Date: September 13, 2014
  • Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
    Indianapolis, IN
  • Game start: 7:41 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 28 minutes
  • Game attendance: 56,832
  • Game weather: Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: N 6 MPH
  • Referee: Jerry McGinn
Overall record Last meeting Result
57–26–2 2013 ND, 31–24


Syracuse[]

Notre Dame vs Syracuse
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 8 Fighting Irish 0 14 7 10 31
Orange 0 3 0 12 15
  • Date: September 27, 2014
  • Location: MetLife Stadium
    East Rutherford, NJ
  • Game start: 8:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 45 minutes
  • Game attendance: 76,802
  • Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: Mild
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
Overall record Last meeting Result
3–3 2008 CUSE, 24–23


Stanford[]

Stanford at Notre Dame
(Legends Trophy)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 14 Cardinal 7 0 0 7 14
No. 9 Fighting Irish 0 7 0 10 17
  • Date: October 4, 2014
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:40 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 28 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 41 °F (5 °C) • Weather: Cloudy and Rain Likely • Wind: SW 15 MPH
  • Referee: Terry Leyden
Overall record Last meeting Result
18–10 2013 STAN, 27–20

With 1:09 left in the game and Notre Dame facing a 4th and 11 from Stanford's 23 yard line, Everett Golson finds a wide open Ben Koyack in the corner of the endzone to lift Notre Dame over Stanford 17–14. Stanford, the country's number one defense, had been giving up just 198 total yards of offense a game, but Notre Dame piled up 370 yards. Despite the Irish offense moving the ball, multiple mistakes including botched field goal snaps and turnovers in the red zone kept the game close throughout. Notre Dame's defense was dominant, giving up just 204 total yards and had two interceptions. Further, the Irish defense held Stanford to 47 yards rushing – Stanford's fewest rush yards in a game since 2007. With the win, Notre Dame moves to 5–0.

North Carolina[]

North Carolina at Notre Dame
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 14 12 10 7 43
No. 6 Fighting Irish 7 21 7 15 50
  • Date: October 11, 2014
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:40 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 44 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NNW 4 MPH
  • Referee: Jeff Flanagan
Overall record Last meeting Result
16–2 2008 UNC, 29–24

The 6th ranked Irish held off the North Carolina Tar Heels to win in a shootout 50–43. After trailing 14–0 in the 1st, the Irish found some rhythm to score 21 points in a row to take a 21–14 lead. The win marked the first time the Irish put up 50 points against a non-academy team since beating Stanford 57–7 in 2003.

Florida State[]

Notre Dame at Florida State
(Rivalry)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 5 Fighting Irish 7 10 7 3 27
No. 2 Seminoles 7 3 14 7 31
  • Date: October 18, 2014
  • Location: Doak Campbell Stadium
    Tallahassee, FL
  • Game start: 8:24 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 27 minutes
  • Game attendance: 82,431
  • Game weather: Temperature: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Clear and 68% Humidity • Wind: WNW 3 MPH
  • Referee: David Epperley
Overall record Last meeting Result
2–5 2011 FSU, 18–14

The Irish, who were double digit underdogs, looked to score the game-winning touchdown with :13 left after Everett Golson found a wide open Corey Robinson in the endzone. But the Irish were flagged for a pass interference penalty which took the touchdown away and pushed Notre Dame back 10 yards. Irish turned the ball over on the next play. The penalty, although correctly called by officials, was considered controversial by some[8] in a game many consider the game of the year between two top 5 teams. Everett Golson showed why many consider him a Heisman candidate by completing 31 of 52 passes for 313 yards and throwing for 3 touchdowns.

Navy[]

Notre Dame vs Navy
(Rip Miller Trophy)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 6 Fighting Irish 14 14 0 21 49
Midshipmen 7 10 14 8 39
  • Date: November 1, 2014
  • Location: FedExField
    Landover, MD
  • Game start: 8:10 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
  • Game attendance: 36,807
  • Game weather: Temperature: 48 °F (9 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: SW 12 MPH
  • Referee: Ron Cherry
Overall record Last meeting Result
74–12–1 2013 ND, 38–34


Arizona State[]

Notre Dame at Arizona State
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
No. 8 Fighting Irish 3 7 7 14 31
No. 11 Sun Devils 17 17 0 21 55
  • Date: November 8, 2014
  • Location: Sun Devil Stadium
    Tempe, AZ
  • Game start: 1:30 p.m. MST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 35 minutes
  • Game attendance: 65,870
  • Game weather: Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny and Clear Skies • Wind: Calm
  • Referee: Jeff Heaser
Overall record Last meeting Result
3–0 2013 ND, 37–34

1st quarter scoring: ND – Kyle Brindza 46-yard field goal; ASU – Zane Gonzalez, 47-yard field goal; ASU – Jaelen Strong 13-yard pass from Taylor Kelly (Gonzalez kick); ASU – Demario Richard 1-yard run (Gonzalez kick)

2nd quarter scoring: ASU – Damarious Randall 59-yard interception (Gonzalez kick); ASU – Cameron Smith 43-yard pass from Kelly (Gonzalez kick); ASU – Gonzalez, 28-yard field goal; ND – Will Fuller 9-yard pass from Everett Golden (Brindza kick)

3rd quarter scoring:

Northwestern[]

Northwestern at Notre Dame
(Rivalry)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 OT Total
Wildcats 9 14 3 14 3 43
No. 15 Fighting Irish 20 7 7 6 0 40
  • Date: November 15, 2014
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:39 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 4 hours and 12 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 29 °F (−2 °C) • Weather: Cloudy and Cold • Wind: SSW 9 MPH
  • Referee: Mike Cannon
Overall record Last meeting Result
37–8–2 1995 NW, 17–15


Louisville[]

Louisville at Notre Dame
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Cardinals 14 3 7 7 31
Fighting Irish 3 3 14 8 28
  • Date: November 22, 2014
  • Location: Notre Dame Stadium
    South Bend, IN
  • Game start: 3:40 p.m. EST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 19 minutes
  • Game attendance: 80,795
  • Game weather: Temperature: 45 °F (7 °C) • Weather: Showers • Wind: SSW 17 MPH
  • Referee: Gary Patterson
Overall record Last meeting Result
First meeting

For the first time in the history of Notre Dame football, the Irish have given up 30 points or more in six straight game. And for the second week in a row, a missed field goal by kicker Kyle Brindza late in the game dooms the Irish. Notre Dame is now 1–4 in the last 5 games after starting 6–0.

USC[]

Notre Dame at USC
(Jeweled Shillelagh)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Irish 0 7 7 0 14
Trojans 21 14 14 0 49
  • Date: November 29, 2014
  • Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Game start: 12:37 p.m. PST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 14 minutes
  • Game attendance: 79,586
  • Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Hazy and Sunny • Wind: ESE 6 MPH
  • Referee: Dennis Hennigan
Overall record Last meeting Result
45–35–5 2013 ND, 14–10


LSU (Music City Bowl)[]

Notre Dame vs LSU
(Music City Bowl)
by Quarter 1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Irish 7 14 7 3 31
No. 23 Tigers 7 7 14 0 28
  • Date: [[December 30, 2014]]
  • Location: LP Field
    Nashville, TN
  • Game start: 2:03 p.m. CST
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 5 minutes
  • Game attendance: 60,419
  • Game weather: Temperature: 42 °F (6 °C) • Weather: Scattered Clouds • Wind: N 5 MPH
  • Referee: Mike Batlan
Overall record Last meeting Result
5–5 2007 LSU, 41–14


Rankings[]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final 
AP 17 16 11 9 8 9 6 5 7 6 8 15 RV NR NR NR RV 
Coaches 17 15 11 9 8 8 5 5 8 7 8 16 RV RV NR NR RV 
CFP Not released 10 10 18 NR NR NR NR Not released


Postseason[]

Awards[]

All-Americans

Name AP AFCA FWAA TSN WCFF Athlon CBS ESPN FOX Scout SI.com USAT
Will Fuller, RE HM
Jaylon Smith, LB 2 3
†denotes unanimous selection. NCAA recognizes a selection to all five of the AP, AFCA, FWAA, SN and WCFF 1st teams for unanimous selections and three of five for consensus selections       

References[]

Advertisement